McGinn asks voters for $241 million to replace seawall

By CHRIS GRYGIEL, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

Published 10:00 pm, Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Photo: Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com

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Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn holds up a piece of the seawall as he announces a city-funded rebuild of the Seattle seawall as a public safety concern on Thursday along Alaskan Way South. The mayor said citizens know the consequences of earthquakes and hopes voters will support a measure to fund the project. less

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn holds up a piece of the seawall as he announces a city-funded rebuild of the Seattle seawall as a public safety concern on Thursday along Alaskan Way South. The mayor said citizens ... more

Photo: Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com

McGinn asks voters for $241 million to replace seawall

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Mayor Mike McGinn is asking Seattle voters to approve a $241 million ballot measure to replace the city's deteriorating seawall, citing a "potential for catastrophe" if it fails.

"We have known since 2001 that the seawall is unsafe," he said Thursday during along the city's waterfront.

"We're going to ask the citizens of Seattle to replace the seawall -- for safety reasons -- as soon as possible."

That means as early as 2014, the mayor explained -- two years earlier than the state plans to replace it as part of the project to build a waterfront tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

McGinn said he would submit a measure to the City Council for a possible vote as soon as May. Estimated impact on a $400,000 home would be about $48 per year. A 60 percent majority vote would be required for the measure to pass.

The state has allocated $2.8 billion for the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. State, King County and Seattle officials signed off on a $4.2 billion tunnel.

Work on the project is supposed to begin this year on the viaduct's south end between South Holgate and South King streets. Construction on the central waterfront replacement is expected to begin in 2011, but McGinn has been no fan of the project. He wants the Legislature to remove a controversial clause in the authorizing legislation that requires Seattle residents to pay for cost overruns before significant work begins.

Legislative leaders say that's not happening.

McGinn declined to speak specifically about the viaduct tunnel issue, saying the seawall replacement is something that has to occur regardless of what ultimately happens to the waterfront span.

"This is not about the viaduct, except as it relates to safety," the mayor said.

City Council President Richard Conlin said he applauded the McGinn's commitment on the seawall.

"We look forward to seeing the details," said Conlin, adding that making a quick decison will be a priority for the council.